In May 1945, a committee met at Los Alamos to choose a target. Led by General Leslie Groves and physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, the men behind the Manhattan Project had a goal: to create a psychological shock so great it would force Japan's unconditional surrender. They rejected the idea of a demonstration on an uninhabited area, fearing a dud would only strengthen Japanese resolve. They needed a city. Kyoto was considered but spared for its cultural significance. Instead, they chose Hiroshima. It was a large city, relatively untouched by conventional bombing, meaning the new weapon's full power could be clearly measured. The city’s surrounding hills were expected to focus the blast, maximizing its destructive impact and creating the spectacular display they sought.
Hiroshima
On August 6, 1945, the US dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, instantly killing tens of thousands and changing warfare forever.
The Target
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Hiroshima chosen as the target for the first atomic bomb?
Hiroshima was chosen to maximize the bomb's psychological and physical impact. It was a major city untouched by previous firebombing, allowing for a clear assessment of the new weapon's power. The hills surrounding the city were also expected to focus the blast energy, increasing the destruction.
What was the 'black rain' that fell after the bombing?
The 'black rain' was a radioactive downpour caused by the explosion's intense heat. The firestorm sucked moisture and debris into the air, creating a cloud of thick, oily, radioactive soot that fell back on the city. Many thirsty survivors drank it, leading to acute radiation poisoning.
Was using the atomic bomb necessary to end the war?
This is heavily debated. Supporters, like Secretary of War Henry Stimson, argued it was the 'least abhorrent choice' to avoid a land invasion that could have cost over a million casualties. Critics, including Admiral William Leahy, called it a 'barbarous weapon' used on an already defeated Japan.
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